Electronic device and display method employed in electronic device

ABSTRACT

Provided are an electronic device wherein operability is improved by changing display contents as needed corresponding to a touch state with a display area, and a display method employed in the electronic device 
     The electronic device is provided with: a display section ( 21 ) which indicates selection items; a detecting section ( 31 ) which detects a touch with a display area of the display section ( 21 ); and a control section ( 32 ) which controls to switch the display state of the display section ( 21 ) corresponding to the touch state with the display area to a first display state wherein a first display item group having a plurality of first hierarchical items relating to the selected item or to a second display state wherein a second display item group which has a plurality of second hierarchical items relating to the selected item and the number of items larger than that of the first display item group, at the time when a touch with the display area that corresponds to the selected item is detected by the detecting section ( 31 ) in the state where the selection items are displayed on the display section ( 21 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic device having a touchsensor, and a display method employed in the electronic device.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, an increasing number of mobile terminal devices havebeen provided with a touch sensor capable of performing variousoperations (for example, activation of a music player, etc.) bydetecting touch by a pen or a finger. In such a mobile terminal device,various input keys are displayed on a display such as an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display), a transparent touch panel is superimposed on thedisplay, and the various input keys transmitted through this touch panelto be displayed are operated (touched) by a finger or a pen, therebyperforming input operations.

Here, since a finger tip is larger than a pen tip in terms of a touchdimensions, in a case in which the interval between adjacent key touchareas is narrow, a plurality of adjacent keys may be touched at the sametime, which may potentially cause malfunction. Therefore, in order tosolve such a problem, a method has been proposed in which an intervalbetween adjacent key touch areas is controlled to be widened whentouching by a finger, thereby avoiding a plurality of keys from beingtouched at the same time, and preventing malfunction (for example, seePatent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, PublicationNo. 2005-050265

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Incidentally, in the aforementioned method, the interval betweenadjacent key touch areas is not widened when touching by a pen, whereasthe interval between adjacent key touch areas is widened when touchingby a finger, and such a manner aims to provide means that preventsmalfunction and excels in operability; however, display contents are notchanged, but rather fixed between a case of touching by a finger and acase of touching by a pen.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic deviceand a display method employed in the electronic device, capable ofimproving the operability by appropriately changing display contents inaccordance with a touch state on a display area.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, an electronic deviceaccording to the present invention is characterized by including: adisplay unit that displays a selection item; a detecting unit thatdetects a touch on the display area of the display unit; and a controlunit that, in a state where the selection item is displayed on thedisplay unit, in a case of the detecting unit detecting a touch on thedisplay area corresponding to the selection item, causes a display stateof the display unit to transition, in accordance with a touch state onthe display area, to a first display state of displaying a first displayitem group having a plurality of first hierarchical items associatedwith the selection item, or a second display state of displaying asecond display item group having a plurality of second hierarchicalitems associated with the selection item, wherein a number of items inthe second display item group is greater than a number of items in thefirst display item group.

Moreover, in the electronic device, it is preferable for the controlunit to cause the display state of the display unit to transition inaccordance with a touch dimensions with the display area.

In addition, in the electronic device, it is preferable for thedetecting unit to have a plurality of capacitive sensors, and detect atouch on the display area by way of a change in electrostatic capacityin the capacitive sensors, and it is preferable for the control unit todetermine the touch dimensions in accordance with a number of thecapacitive sensors for which electrostatic capacity has changed.

Furthermore, in the electronic device, it is preferable for the controlunit to cause the display state to transition to the first display statein a case of determining that the touch dimensions is greater than apredetermined area, and it is preferable for the control unit to causethe display state to transition to the second display state in a case ofdetermining that the touch dimensions is not greater than thepredetermined area.

Moreover, in the electronic device, it is preferable for the pluralityof second hierarchical items in the second display item group to includethe plurality of first hierarchical items in the first display itemgroup, and it is preferable for the control unit to perform control todisplay the second hierarchical items including the first hierarchicalitems when displaying the second display item group.

In addition, in the electronic device, it is preferable for theplurality of second hierarchical items in the second display item groupto be hierarchical items in relation to the plurality of firsthierarchical items in the first display item group.

Furthermore, in the electronic device, it is preferable for the controlunit to perform control to display the first hierarchical items togetherwith the second hierarchical items when displaying the second displayitem group.

Moreover, in the electronic device, it is preferable for the detectingunit to be able to detect a touch on the display area of the selectionitem as well as a touch on a display area different from the displayarea of the selection item, and in a state where the selection item isdisplayed on the display unit, in a case in which the detecting unitdetects a touch on the display area of the selection item, it ispreferable for the control unit to cause the display state of thedisplay unit to transition to the first display state or the seconddisplay state, in accordance with touch state of the display area of theselection item and the display area different from the display area ofthe selection item.

In addition, in the electronic device, it is preferable for thedetecting unit to be able to detect a touch on a display area differentfrom the display area of the selection item, and in a state where theselection item is displayed on the display unit, in a case in which thedetecting unit detects a touch on the display area different from thedisplay area of the selection item, it is preferable for the controlunit to cause the display state of the display unit to transition, inaccordance with a touch state on the display area different from thedisplay area of the selection item, to a state of maintaining display ofthe selection item, or a state of displaying the first display itemgroup having the plurality of first hierarchical items associated withthe selection item.

Furthermore, in the electronic device, it is preferable for thedetecting unit to be able to detect a touch on a display area of aninitial screen, and in a state where the initial screen is displayed onthe display unit, in a case of the detecting unit detecting a touch onthe display area of the initial screen, it is preferable for the controlunit to cause the display state of the display unit to transition, inaccordance with a touch state on the display area of the initial screen,to a state of displaying the selection item, or a state of displayingthe first display item group having the plurality of first hierarchicalitems associated with the selection item.

Moreover, it is preferable for the electronic device to include a bodyand a removable member that can be attached to and detached from thebody, the detecting unit detecting a touch on a display area of thedisplay unit when the removable member touches the display area of thedisplay unit, and in a state where the selection item is displayed onthe display unit, in a case in which the detecting unit detects a touchon the display area of the selection item, it is preferable for thedisplay state of the display unit to transition to the first displaystate or the second display state, in accordance with the touch statethat is determined based on an attachment/detachment state of theremovable member in relation to the body.

In addition, an electronic device according to the present invention ischaracterized by including: a display unit that displays hierarchicalitems, and has a display area in which a touch can be detected; adetecting unit that detects a touch on the display area of the displayunit; and a control unit that, in a state where a plurality ofhigh-order hierarchical items are displayed on the display unit, changesa number of a plurality of low-order hierarchical items associated withthe high-order hierarchical items displayed on the display unit, inaccordance with a touch state on the display area, in a case in whichthe detecting unit detects a touch on a display area corresponding tothe high-order hierarchical item.

Furthermore, a display method in an electronic device according to thepresent invention is characterized by including the steps of: displayinga selection item on a display unit; detecting a touch on a display areaof the display unit; and causing a display state of the display unit totransition to, in accordance with a touch state on the display area, afirst display state of displaying a first display item group having aplurality of first hierarchical items associated with the selectionitem, or a second display state of displaying a second display itemgroup having a plurality of second hierarchical items associated withthe selection item, wherein a number of items in the second display itemgroup is greater than a number of items in the first display item group.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the operability can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cellulartelephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of the cellular telephonedevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of calculating a touchdimensions by way of a control unit;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of a cellular telephonedevice according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating behavior of the control unit in acase in which a telephone call is made from a standby screen with aninput operation by a finger or a pen;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how a display manner of a displayunit changes depending on whether a touch input is made by a pen or afinger, when performing operations of a telephone application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how a display manner of thedisplay unit changes depending on whether a touch input is made by a penor a finger, when performing operations of selecting an attachment filewhen creating a mail message;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing how a display manner of thedisplay unit changes depending on whether a touch input is made by a penor a finger, when performing operations of setting ringtones;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing how a display manner changesdepending on whether a touch input is made by a pen or a finger, whendisplaying selection items on the display unit, or when displaying firsthierarchical items on the display unit; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the display manner changesdepending on whether a touch input is made by a pen or a finger, whencausing the selection items to remain displayed on the display unit, orwhen displaying the first hierarchical items on the display unit.

PREFERRED MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

A description is provided hereinafter regarding a first embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing anappearance of a cellular telephone device 1 (electronic device)according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that, althoughFIG. 1 shows a so-called folder-type cellular telephone device, thecellular telephone device according to the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the type of the cellular telephone devicemay be a slider type in which one of the bodies slides to one directionin a state in which the bodies are mutually superimposed; a rotating(turning) type in which one of the bodies is rotated around an axis linealong the direction of superimposing the bodies; and a type (straighttype or flip type) in which an operation unit and a display unit aredisposed in one body without having a connecting portion.

The cellular telephone device 1 is configured to include an operationunit side body 2 and a display unit side body 3. The operation unit sidebody 2 is configured to include, on a front face portion 10 thereof, akey input portion 11 and a microphone 12 to which sound produced by auser of the cellular telephone device 1 during a phone call is input.The key input portion 11 is configured with: function setting operationbuttons 13 for operating various functions such as for various settingfunctions, a telephone number directory function and a mail function;input operation buttons 14 for inputting the digits of a telephonenumber and characters for mail, etc.; and a selection operation button15 for performing selection of various operations, scrolling, etc.

Moreover, the display unit side body 3 is configured to include, on afront face portion 20, a display unit 21 for displaying a variety ofinformation, and a receiver 22 for outputting sound of the other partyof the conversation. Furthermore, a display area 33, which can transmitan image displayed on the display unit 21 and can accept an input by adepression operation, is disposed to be superimposed on the front face20 of the display unit 21.

In addition, an upper end portion of the operation unit side body 2 anda lower end portion of the display unit side body 3 are connected via ahinge mechanism 4. Moreover, the cellular telephone device 1 can be in astate where the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit sidebody 3 are apart from each other (opened state), and in a state wherethe operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 arecontacting each other (folded state), as the operation unit side body 2and the display unit side body 3, connected via the hinge mechanism 4,pivot with respect to each other.

The cellular telephone device 1 with such a configuration has a touchpanel, and has a function to improve the operability by appropriatelychanging the contents displayed on the display unit 21 in accordancewith the touch state on the touch panel (for example, a touch input by apen or a finger).

Here, a configuration for exhibiting the function is described in detailwith reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the cellular telephonedevice 1 includes the display unit 21, a detecting unit 31 and a controlunit 32. The display unit 21 displays a plurality of selection items.The detecting unit 31 detects a touch on the display area 33corresponding to a selection item displayed on the display unit 21. In astate where a selection item is displayed on the display unit 21, whenthe detecting unit 31 detects a touch corresponding to the selectionitem on the display area 33, depending on the touch state on the displayarea 33, the control unit 32 causes a display state of the display unit21 to transition to a first display state of displaying a first displayitem group having a plurality of first hierarchical items associatedwith the selection item, or a second display state of displaying asecond display item group having a plurality of second hierarchicalitems associated with the selection item, in which the number of itemsin the second display item group is greater than the number of items inthe first display item group.

In one embodiment, the plurality of second hierarchical items in thesecond display item group includes the plurality of first hierarchicalitems in the first display item group. In other words, the secondhierarchical items constitute a part of the first hierarchical items. Inthis case, when the second display item group is displayed, the controlunit 32 performs control to display the plurality of second hierarchicalitems including the first hierarchical items.

Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, the plurality of secondhierarchical items in the second display item group are hierarchicalitems in relation to the plurality of first hierarchical items in thefirst display item group. In other words, the second hierarchical itemsare low-order hierarchical items in relation to the first hierarchicalitems.

In addition, when the second display item group is displayed, thecontrol unit 32 performs control to display the first hierarchical itemstogether with the plurality of second hierarchical items. In otherwords, in a state where a plurality of selection items are displayed(see FIG. 6 (a)), and for example, when a “telephone” item is touched bya finger, the control unit 32 performs control such that each item among“outgoing call history”, “incoming call history” and “direct input” isdisplayed as the first hierarchical items on the display unit 21 (seeFIG. 6 (b)). On the other hand, in a state where a plurality ofselection items are displayed (see FIG. 6 (a)), and for example, whenthe “telephone” item is touched by a pen, the control unit 32 performscontrol such that the “outgoing call history” and the “incoming callhistory” are displayed as first hierarchical items on the display unit21, and numerical strings such as “090XXX”, “090YYY” and “090ZZZ” aredisplayed as the second hierarchical items on the display unit 21.

Here, a description is provided regarding how the detecting unit 31 andthe control unit 32 behave in a coordinated manner in accordance with atouch on the display area 33. The detecting unit 31 is a sensor thatdetects a position touched (depressed) by a finger tip, a pen tip or thelike of the user. The detecting unit 31 outputs a result of detecting atouch on the display area 33 to the control unit 32. The control unit 32performs a variety of processing as a variety of operational inputs inaccordance with the detection result. It should be noted that a sensor,which employs an existing method such as a capacitive sensing method ora resistive film method, can be utilized in the detecting unit 31.

With such a configuration, in the cellular telephone device 1, a displaymanner can be appropriately changed in accordance with the touch stateon the display area 33, and thus the operability can be improved.

Furthermore, when the detecting unit 31 detects a touch on the displayarea 33, the detecting unit 31 also detects a touch dimensions thereof.When the control unit 32 calculates a touch dimensions detected by thedetecting unit 31, in a case in which the control unit 32 determinesthat the touch dimensions is at least a predetermined area based on theresult of the calculation (for example, in a case of touching by afinger), it is preferable that the control unit 32 performs control suchthat the plurality of first hierarchical items associated with theselection item are displayed; and in a case in which the control unit 32determines that the touch dimensions is not at least the predeterminedarea based on the result of the calculation (for example, in a case oftouching by a pen tip), it is preferable that the control unit 32performs control such that the plurality of second hierarchical itemsassociated with the selection item are displayed.

Here, a method of calculating a touch dimensions by way of the controlunit 32 is described. As shown in FIG. 3, the display area 33 isdisposed on a top surface of the display unit 21, and a plurality ofdetecting elements are disposed at constant intervals in a matrix insidea transparent electrode 41. The detecting unit 31 planarly detects thenumber of detecting elements that reacted when the panel surface 42 wastouched, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 32. Basedon the detection result, the control unit 32 calculates an area that iscovered by the touch. For example, in a case in which the area is lessthan 5 mm², the control unit 32 determines that the touch has been madeby a pen tip; in a case in which the area is at least 5 mm² and lessthan 2 cm², the control unit 32 determines that the touch has been madeby a (smaller) finger; and in a case in which the area is at least 2cm², the control unit 32 determines that the touch has been made by a(larger) finger.

Moreover, the detecting unit 31 may detect the touch dimensions of atouching object whenever a touch occurs, and the control unit 32 maycalculate the touch dimensions detected by the detecting unit 31;alternatively, once the detecting unit 31 detects the touch dimensions,the control unit 32 may thereafter determine that subsequent toucheswill have the touch dimensions.

It should be noted that the detecting elements may be, for example,capacitive sensors. In other words, the detecting unit 31 may be, forexample, arranged along the display unit 21, and may be configured toarrange the plurality of capacitive sensors, of which electrostaticcapacity is changed in accordance with a touch on the display area 33.

In this case, in a case in which the control unit 32 determines that thenumber of the capacitive sensors, of which the electrostatic capacityhas been changed in accordance with the touch on the display area 33, isgreater than a predetermined number, the control unit 32 performscontrol such that the plurality of first hierarchical items associatedwith the selection item are displayed; and in a case in which thecontrol unit 32 determines that the number of the capacitive sensors, ofwhich electrostatic capacity has been changed in accordance with thetouch on the display area 33, is not greater than the predeterminednumber, the control unit 32 performs control such that the plurality ofsecond hierarchical items associated with the selection item aredisplayed.

A specific example of such a determination by way of the control unit 32may be as follows. In other words, in a case in which the plurality ofcapacitive sensors present, of which electrostatic capacity has beenchanged to greater than a predetermined degree in accordance with thetouch on the display area 33, are in touch with one another, and thenumber of capacitive sensors is greater than a predetermined number, thecontrol unit 32 determines that the touch has been made by a finger tip,etc. On the other hand, in a case in which the plurality of capacitivesensors present, of which electrostatic capacity has been changed togreater than the predetermined degree in accordance with the touch onthe display area 33, are in touch with one another, and the number ofcapacitive sensors is not greater than the predetermined number, thecontrol unit 32 determines that the touch has been made by a pen tip,etc.

With such a configuration, in the cellular telephone device 1, anoptimal display manner can be provided in accordance with the touchdimensions, a display screen adapted to the user's use case can beprovided, and the operability can be improved. It should be noted that,although the present embodiment is described as including a function toutilize a touch dimensions to determine whether the touch is made by apen or a finger, it is not limited thereto.

In other words, the cellular telephone device 1 includes a body (theoperation unit side body 2 or the display unit side body 3) and aremovable member 34 (for example, a touching object such as a pen) thatis attachable to and detachable from the body. When the removable member34 touches the display area 33 of the display unit 21, the detectingunit 31 detects such a touch on the display area 33 of the display unit21. In this case, in a state where a selection item is displayed on thedisplay unit 21, when the detecting unit 31 detects a touch on thedisplay area 33 of the selection item, the control unit 32 causes thedisplay state of the display unit 21 to transition to the first displaystate or the second display state, in accordance with the touch statethat is determined based on the attachment/detachment state of theremovable member 34 in relation to the body.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, a description isprovided for behavior of the control unit 32 in a case in which atelephone call is made from a standby screen (an initial screen that isdisplayed in a state of waiting for a telephone call) by way of inputoperations by a finger or a pen. It should be noted that the followingdescription assumes a case of activating an application by way ofoperations by a finger or a pen, instead of key operations by way of thekey input portion 11.

In Step S1, the control unit 32 activates a telephone application inresponse to an operation by the user.

In Step S2, the control unit 32 detects the input means used whenactivating the telephone application according to the processing of StepS1.

In Step S3, the control unit 32 determines whether an input has beenmade by a pen based on detection according to the processing of Step S2.In a case in which it is determined that the input has been made by apen (YES), the processing advances to Step S4, and in a case in which itis determined that the input has been made not by a pen but by a finger(NO), the processing advances to Step S5.

In Step S4, the control unit 32 performs control such that a displaymenu for pen input is displayed on the display unit 21.

Moreover, in Step S5, the control unit 32 performs control such that adisplay menu for finger input is displayed on the display unit 21.

In Step S6, the control unit 32 performs outgoing call processing, onthe condition that the user has selected (input) a predeterminedtelephone number from the display menu displayed on the display unit 21,and has performed an outgoing call operation.

Telephone Application

Next, a detailed description is provided on how a display manner of thedisplay unit 21 changes in accordance with whether a touch input is madeby a pen or a finger, when performing the operation of the telephoneapplication. It should be noted that the following description assumesthat, when an input is made by a finger, a number is directly input fromthe “direct input” to perform outgoing call processing, and when aninput is made by a pen, a number is directly input to perform outgoingcall processing. It should be noted that, in a case of utilizing the“outgoing call history”, when an input is made by a finger, a number canbe selected from the “outgoing call history” to perform outgoing callprocessing, and when an input is made by a pen, a number in the“outgoing call history” can be selected to perform outgoing callprocessing.

In a state where a plurality of selection items are displayed (FIG. 6(a)), in a case in which a selection item of “telephone” is touched by afinger, the control unit 32 performs control such that a display menufor finger input is displayed on the display unit 21 (FIG. 6 (b)).Moreover, in a state where the display menu for finger input isdisplayed, in a case in which the “direct input” item is touched by afinger, the control unit 32 performs control such that a display screenfor direct input is displayed on the display unit 21 (FIG. 6 (c)). Inaddition, in a case in which a predetermined telephone number“090XXXYYYZZ” is selected by a touch input by a finger, and a “call”item is touched by a finger, the control unit 32 performs outgoing callprocessing and transitions to a telephone call status display (FIG. 6(d)).

On the other hand, in a state where a plurality of selection items aredisplayed (FIG. 6 (a)), in a case in which the selection item of“telephone” is touched by a pen, the control unit 32 performs controlsuch that the display menu for pen input is displayed on the displayunit 21 (FIG. 6 (e)). Furthermore, in a case in which the predeterminedtelephone number “090XXXYYYZZ” is input by a direct input by a pen, andthe “call” item is touched by a pen, the control unit 32 performsoutgoing call processing and transitions to a telephone call statusdisplay (FIG. 6 (d)).

In this way, with the cellular telephone device 1, in a case of touchingby a finger in the operation of the telephone application, the screentransitions from FIG. 6 (a), FIG. 6 (b), FIG. 6 (c) and to the telephonecall status display in FIG. 6 (d); and in a case of touching by a pen,the screen transitions from FIG. 6 (a), FIG. 6 (e) and to the telephonecall status display in FIG. 6 (d); therefore, a display screen adaptedto the user's use case can be provided in accordance with whether a penor a finger is used as the operational input means, and thus theoperability can be improved.

It should be noted that the control unit 32 may be configured such that,in a state where the display menu for finger input as shown in FIG. 6(b) is displayed on the display unit 21, in a case of recognizing that apredetermined location on the display menu is touched by a pen, thecontrol unit 32 performs control such that the display menu for peninput as shown in FIG. 6 (e) is displayed on the display unit 21.

Attachment File Selection Operation When Creating Mail Message

Next, a detailed description is provided on how the display manner ofthe display unit 21 changes in accordance with whether a touch input ismade by a pen or a finger, when performing operations of selecting anattachment file when creating a mail message. It should be noted thatthe following description assumes that a mail application has beenactivated by a predetermined operation, and the screen has transitionedto a screen for creating a new outgoing mail message.

In a case in which an “attachment” item is touched by a finger on ascreen for creating a new outgoing mail message (FIG. 7 (a)), thecontrol unit 32 performs control such that a display menu for fingerinput is displayed on the display unit 21. Here, the control unit 32performs control to display a “data folder” item and an “externalmemory” item for storing attachment data, and a “photo taking” item anda “movie taking” item for capturing attachment data by utilizing animaging function (FIG. 7 (b)). In a case in which the “data folder” itemis selected by a finger touch, the control unit 32 performs control suchthat categories in the data folder (complete data display, user folder,movie folder, photo folder, and coupon folder) are displayed (FIG. 7(c)). Moreover, in a case in which the “photo folder” is selected fromthe data folder categories by a finger touch, the control unit 32performs control such that contents in the photo folder are displayed asthumbnails (FIG. 7 (d)).

On the other hand, in a case in which an “attachment” item is touched bya pen on a screen for creating a new outgoing mail message (FIG. 7 (a)),the control unit 32 performs control such that a display menu for peninput is displayed on the display unit 21 (FIG. 7( e)). As shown in FIG.7 (e), the display menu for pen input displays a list of all categoriesin the “data folder” (which may be configured such that some categoriesare displayed, and other categories may be displayed by using ascrolling feature) and all categories in the “external memory” (whichmay be configured such that some categories are displayed, and othercategories may be displayed by using a scrolling feature), and displaysbuttons for allowing selection among a photo taking function and a movietaking function.

In a case in which the “photo folder” in the “data folder” is selectedby a pen touch, the control unit 32 performs control such that contentsin the photo folder are displayed as thumbnails (FIG. 7 (d)).

In this way, with the cellular telephone device 1, in a case of touchingby a finger in the operation of selecting an attachment file whencreating a mail message, the screen transitions through FIG. 7 (a), FIG.7 (b), and FIG. 7 (c) to the screen for displaying thumbnails in thephoto folder in FIG. 7 (d); and in a case of touching by a pen, thescreen transitions through FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (e) to the screen fordisplaying thumbnails in the photo folder in FIG. 7 (d); therefore, adisplay screen adapted to the user's use case can be provided inaccordance with whether a pen or a finger is used as the operationalinput means, and thus the operability can be improved.

It should be noted that the control unit 32 may be configured such that,in a state where the display menu for finger input as shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed on the display unit 21, in a case of recognizing that apredetermined location on the display menu is touched by a pen, thecontrol unit 32 performs control such that the display menu for peninput as shown in FIG. 7 (e) is displayed on the display unit 21.

Ringtone Setting

Next, a detailed description is provided on how the display manner ofthe display unit 21 changes depending on whether a touch input is madeby a pen or a finger, when performing the operation of settingringtones. It should be noted that the following description assumesthat the screen has transitioned to a screen for setting ringtones by apredetermined operation.

In a case in which an “incoming telephone ringtone” item is touched by afinger on a screen for setting ringtones (FIG. 8 (a)), the control unit32 performs control such that a display menu for finger input isdisplayed on the display unit 21. The display menu for finger input isconfigured with a “preset data” item, a “data folder” item, an “externalmemory” item, and a “search on the Internet” item. It should be notedthat, in a case in which the “search on the Internet” item is selected,a web browser is displayed, an internet connection is established, and aweb page that can download setting tones is displayed.

In a case in which a “preset data” item is selected by a finger touch,the control unit 32 performs control such that preset data included inthe “preset data” item is displayed as a list on the display unit 21(FIG. 8 (c)). Moreover, in a case in which “preset data 1” is selectedby a finger touch from the list of displaying the “preset data” items,the control unit 32 performs control to display predetermined display(for example, “preset data 1 is set as an incoming call ringtone”) (FIG.8 (d)).

On the other hand, in a case in which the “incoming call ringtone” itemis touched by a pen on a screen for setting ringtones (FIG. 8 (a)), thecontrol unit 32 performs control such that a display menu for pen inputis displayed on the display unit 21 (FIG. 8 (e)). As shown in FIG. 8(e), the display menu for pen input is configured with: complete presetdata included in the “preset data” item (which may be configured suchthat only some preset data is displayed, and other preset data may bedisplayed by using a scrolling feature); complete data included in the“data folder” item (which may be configured such that only some data isdisplayed, and other data may be displayed by using a scrollingfeature); complete external memory data included in the “externalmemory” item (which may be configured such that only some externalmemory data is displayed, and other external memory data may bedisplayed by using a scrolling feature); and the “search on theInternet” item.

In a case in which “preset data 1” is selected by a pen touch from the“preset data” items, the control unit 32 performs control to displaypredetermined display (for example, “preset data 1 is set as an incomingcall ringtone”) (FIG. 8 (d)).

In this way, with the cellular telephone device 1, in a case of touchingby a finger in the operation of setting ringtones, the screentransitions through FIG. 8 (a), FIG. 8 (b), and FIG. 8 (c) to thepredetermined display in FIG. 8 (d); and in a case of touching by a pen,the screen transitions through FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (e) to thepredetermined display in FIG. 8 (d); therefore, a display screen adaptedto the user's use case can be provided depending on whether a pen or afinger is used as the operational input means, and thus the operabilitycan be improved.

It should be noted that the control unit 32 may be configured such that,in a state where the display menu for finger input as shown in FIG. 8(b) is displayed on the display unit 21, in a case of recognizing that apredetermined location on the display menu is touched by a pen, thecontrol unit 32 performs control such that the display menu for peninput as shown in FIG. 8 (e) is displayed on the display unit 21.

Alternative Embodiment

In addition, the cellular telephone device 1 may be configured toinclude: the display unit 21 that displays hierarchical items, and hasthe display area 33 capable of detecting a touch; the detecting unit 31that detects a touch on the display area 33 of the display unit 21; andthe control unit 32 that changes the number of a plurality of low-orderhierarchical items associated with the high-order hierarchical itemdisplayed on the display unit 21 in accordance with the touch state onthe display area 33, when the detecting unit 31 detects a touch on thedisplay area 33 corresponding to the high-order hierarchical item in astate where a plurality of high-order hierarchical items are displayedon the display unit 21. In this case, for example, the selection itemsin the first embodiment correspond to the high-order hierarchical itemsin the alternative embodiment, and the first hierarchical items in thefirst embodiment correspond to the low-order hierarchical items in thealternative embodiment. As another example, the first hierarchical itemsin the first embodiment correspond to the high-order hierarchical itemsin the alternative embodiment, and the second hierarchical items in thefirst embodiment correspond to the low-order hierarchical items in thealternative embodiment.

Furthermore, in the cellular telephone device 1, the control unit 32 maybe configured to increase the displayed items of the plurality of firsthierarchical items associated with the selection item displayed on thedisplay unit 21, in accordance with a detection result of the detectingunit 31 that detects a touch on the display area 33 corresponding to theselection item displayed on the display unit 21.

With such a configuration, with the cellular telephone device 1, in acase in which a plurality of first hierarchical items such as a numberof files in the data folder cannot be displayed in a single screen withan ordinary display, when a touch having a small touch dimensions suchas a pen is detected, each of the first hierarchical items is displayedin a reduced manner to increase the number of displayed items;therefore, the need for an operation such as scrolling is eliminated,and the operability can be improved.

Moreover, in the cellular telephone device 1, the control unit 32 may beconfigured to decrease the displayed items of the plurality of firsthierarchical items associated with the selection item displayed on thedisplay unit 21, in accordance with a detection result of the detectingunit 31 that detects a touch on the display area 33 corresponding to theselection item displayed on the display unit 21.

In addition, the cellular telephone device 1 may be configured such thatthe detecting unit 31 can detect a touch on the display area 33 of theselection item as well as a touch on a display area 33 different fromthe display area 33 of the selection item, and when the detecting unit31 detects such touches on the display areas 33 of the selection item ina state where the selection item is displayed on the display unit 21,the control unit 32 causes the display state of the display unit 21 totransition to the first display state or the second display state, inaccordance with the touch state of the display area 33 of the selectionitem as well as the touch state of the display area 33 different fromthe display area 33 of the selection item. In this case, when thedisplay unit 21 (the display area 33 of the selection item) is touchedby a finger, it is likely that a display area 33 different from thedisplay area 33 of the selection item may also be touched by the finger.On the other hand, when the display unit 21 (the display area 33 of theselection item) is touched by a pen, it is unlikely that a display area33 different from the display area 33 of the selection item will also betouched by the pen. Therefore, the control unit 32 causes the displaymanner of the display unit 21 to transition to the first display stateor the second display state, in accordance with the touch state on adisplay area 33 different from the display area 33 of the selection item(for example, whether a touch is made by a finger or a pen).

It should be noted that, although the display manner of the display unit21 is changed depending on whether an input is made by a finger or a penin the present embodiment, it is not limited thereto, and aconfiguration may be employed such that the display manner is changed inaccordance with, for example, the size of a finger touching.

Second Embodiment

The cellular telephone device 1 according to the present embodiment hasa touch panel, and has a function to improve the operability byappropriately changing the contents displayed on the display unit 21 inaccordance with the touch state on the touch panel (for example, a touchinput by a pen or a finger).

Similarly to the case of the configuration of the cellular telephonedevice 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, theconfiguration of the cellular telephone device 1 for exhibiting thefunctions includes the display unit 21, the detecting unit 31, thedisplay area 33 and the control unit 32. The display unit 21 displays aninitial screen (a screen that is displayed in a state of waiting for atelephone call). The detecting unit 31 can detect a touch on the displayarea 33 of the initial screen. When the detecting unit 31 detects atouch on the display area 33 of the initial screen in a state where theinitial screen is displayed on the display unit 21, in accordance withthe touch state on the display area 33 of the initial screen, thecontrol unit 32 causes the display state of the display unit 21 totransition to a state of displaying selection items, or a state ofdisplaying the first display item group having the plurality of firsthierarchical items associated with the selection item.

With such a configuration, the cellular telephone device 1 canappropriately change a display manner in accordance with the touch stateon the display area 33, and thus can improve the operability.

Next, a description is provided on how the display manner of the displayunit 21 changes depending on whether a touch input is made by a pen or afinger, when displaying selection items on the display unit 21 ordisplaying the first display items associated with the firsthierarchical item on the display unit 21.

In a state where the initial screen is displayed on the display unit 21(FIG. 9 (a)), in a case in which the initial screen is touched by afinger, the control unit 32 performs control to display selection itemson the display unit 21 (FIG. 9 (b)). On the other hand, in a state wherethe initial screen is displayed on the display unit 21 (FIG. 9 (a)), ina case in which the initial screen is touched by a pen, the control unit32 performs control to display a display menu for pen input on thedisplay unit 21 (FIG. 9 (c)).

In this way, with the cellular telephone device 1, in a state where theinitial screen is displayed on the display unit 21, in a case in whichthe initial screen is touched by a finger, the screen transitions to thescreen display as shown in FIG. 9 (d); and in a case in which theinitial screen is touched by a pen, the screen transitions to the screendisplay as shown in FIG. 9 (c); therefore, a display screen adapted tothe user's use case can be provided depending on whether a pen or afinger is used as the operational input means, and thus the operabilitycan be improved.

Third Embodiment

The cellular telephone device 1 according to the present embodiment hasa touch panel, and has a function to improve the operability byappropriately changing the contents displayed on the display unit 21 inaccordance with the touch state on the touch panel (for example, a touchinput by a pen or a finger).

Similarly to the case of the configuration of the cellular telephonedevice 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, theconfiguration of the cellular telephone device 1 for exhibiting thefunctions includes the display unit 21, the detecting unit 31, thedisplay area 33 and the control unit 32. Selection items are displayedon the display unit 21. The detecting unit 31 can detect a touch on adisplay area 33 different from the display area 33 of the selectionitem. In a state where a selection item is displayed on the display unit21, in a case in which the detecting unit 31 detects a touch on adisplay area 33 different from the display area 33 of the selectionitem, in accordance with the touch state on the display area 33different from the display area 33 of the selection item, the controlunit 32 causes the display state of the display unit 21 to transition toa state of maintaining the display of the selection item, or a state ofdisplaying the first display item group having the plurality of firsthierarchical items associated with the selection item.

With such a configuration, the cellular telephone device 1 canappropriately change a display manner in accordance with the touch stateon the display area 33, and thus the operability can be improved.

Next, a description is provided on how the display manner changesdepending on whether a touch input is made by a pen or a finger, whenmaintaining the display of the selection item on the display unit 21, ordisplaying the plurality of first display items associated with theselection item on the display unit 21.

In a state where selection items 21 a are displayed on the display unit21 (FIG. 10 (a)), in a case in which a display area 21 b other than theselection items 21 a (the display area 21 b different from the displayarea 33 corresponding to the selection items 21 a) is touched by afinger, the control unit 32 performs control such that the selectionitems 21 a remain displayed on the display unit 21 (FIG. 10 (b)). On theother hand, in a state where the selection items 21 a are displayed onthe display unit 21 (FIG. 10 (a)), in a case in which the display area21 b other than the selection items 21 a is touched by a pen, thecontrol unit 32 performs control to display a display menu for pen inputon the display unit 21 (FIG. 10 (c)).

In this way, with the cellular telephone device 1, in a state where theselection items 21 a are displayed on the display unit 21, in a case inwhich the display area 21 b other than the selection items 21 a (thedisplay area 21 b different from the display area 33 corresponding tothe selection items 21 a) is touched by a finger, the screen transitionsto the screen display as shown in FIG. 10 (b); and in a case in whichthe display area 21 b is touched by a pen, the screen transitions to thescreen display as shown in FIG. 10 (c); therefore, a display screenadapted to the user's use case can be provided depending on whether apen or a finger is used as the operational input means, and thus theoperability can be improved.

It should be noted that the present embodiment is described for a casein which the entire display menu for pen input is displayed on thedisplay unit 21, when the display area 21 b different from the displayarea 33 corresponding to the selection items 21 a is touched by a pen.However, as an alternative embodiment, in a case in which the displayarea 21 b different from the display area 33 corresponding to theselection items is touched by a pen, the control unit 32 may performcontrol to display a selection item close to a position touched by thepen and/or a plurality of first hierarchical items associated with theselection item close to the position touched by the pen.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 cellular telephone device    -   21 display unit    -   31 detecting unit    -   32 control unit    -   33 display area

1. An electronic device comprising: a display unit that displays aselection item; a detecting unit that detects a touch on a display areaof the display unit; and a control unit that, in a state where theselection item is displayed on the display unit, in a case of thedetecting unit detecting a touch on the display area corresponding tothe selection item, causes a display state of the display unit totransition, in accordance with a touch state on the display area, to afirst display state of displaying a first display item group having aplurality of first hierarchical items associated with the selectionitem, or a second display state of displaying a second display itemgroup having a plurality of second hierarchical items associated withthe selection item, wherein a number of items in the second display itemgroup is greater than a number of items in the first display item group.2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unitcauses the display state of the display unit to transition in accordancewith a touch dimensions with the display area.
 3. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the detecting unit has a plurality ofcapacitive sensors, and detects a touch on the display area by way of achange in electrostatic capacity in the capacitive sensors, and whereinthe control unit determines the touch dimensions in accordance with anumber of the capacitive sensors for which electrostatic capacity haschanged.
 4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein thecontrol unit causes transition to the first display state in a case ofdetermining that the touch dimensions is greater than a predeterminedarea, and the control unit causes transition to the second display statein a case of determining that the touch dimensions is not greater thanthe predetermined area.
 5. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of second hierarchical items in the second displayitem group include the plurality of first hierarchical items in thefirst display item group, and wherein the control unit performs controlto display the second hierarchical items including the firsthierarchical items when displaying the second display item group.
 6. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondhierarchical items in the second display item group are hierarchicalitems in relation to the plurality of first hierarchical items in thefirst display item group.
 7. The electronic device according to claim 6,wherein the control unit performs control to display the firsthierarchical items together with the second hierarchical items whendisplaying the second display item group.
 8. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit can detect a touch onthe display area of the selection item as well as a touch on a displayarea different from the display area of the selection item, and wherein,in a state where the selection item is displayed on the display unit, ina case in which the detecting unit detects a touch on the display areaof the selection item, the control unit causes the display state of thedisplay unit to transition to the first display state or the seconddisplay state, in accordance with a touch state of the display area ofthe selection item and the display area different from the display areaof the selection item.
 9. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the detecting unit can detect a touch on a display areadifferent from the display area of the selection item, and wherein, in astate where the selection item is displayed on the display unit, in acase in which the detecting unit detects a touch on the display areadifferent from the display area of the selection item, the control unitcauses the display state of the display unit to transition, inaccordance with a touch state on the display area different from thedisplay area of the selection item, to a state of maintaining display ofthe selection item, or a state of displaying the first display itemgroup having the plurality of first hierarchical items associated withthe selection item.
 10. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the detecting unit can detect a touch on a display area of aninitial screen, and wherein, in a state where the initial screen isdisplayed on the display unit, in a case of the detecting unit detectinga touch on the display area of the initial screen, the control unitcauses the display state of the display unit to transition, inaccordance with a touch state on the display area of the initial screen,to a state of displaying the selection item, or a state of displayingthe first display item group having the plurality of first hierarchicalitems associated with the selection item.
 11. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a body; and a removable memberthat can be attached to and detached from the body, the detecting unitdetecting a touch on a display area of the display unit when theremovable member touches the display area of the display unit, wherein,in a state where the selection item is displayed on the display unit, ina case in which the detecting unit detects a touch on the display areaof the selection item, the display state of the display unit is causedto transition to the first display state or the second display state, inaccordance with the touch state that is determined based on anattachment/detachment state of the removable member in relation to thebody.
 12. An electronic device comprising: a display unit that displayshierarchical items, and has a display area in which a touch can bedetected; a detecting unit that detects a touch on the display area ofthe display unit; and a control unit that, in a state where a pluralityof high-order hierarchical items are displayed on the display unit,changes a number of a plurality of low-order hierarchical itemsassociated with the high-order hierarchical items displayed on thedisplay unit, in accordance with a touch state on the display area, in acase in which the detecting unit detects a touch on a display areacorresponding to the high-order hierarchical item.
 13. A display methodin an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: displayinga selection item on a display unit; detecting a touch on a display areaof the display unit; and causing a display state of the display unit totransition to, in accordance with a touch state on the display area, afirst display state of displaying a first display item group having aplurality of first hierarchical items associated with the selectionitem, or a second display state of displaying a second display itemgroup having a plurality of second hierarchical items associated withthe selection item, wherein a number of items in the second display itemgroup is greater than a number of items in the first display item group.